Washington Capitals Spring Prospect Rankings

Spring has arrived, that means trade deadline frenzy, tight playoff races and mock drafts are just around the corner. The Washington Capitals are in the thick of things in the East but are currently on the outside looking in, but we're not here to discuss that. Spring also brings with it the annual top prospect rankings. Previous ranking from our fall list is in brackets and stats are current as of April 2nd 2018.

1. (1) Kale Clague D 6'0" 176 lbs Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
54GP 11G 60A 71P 43PIM +42 Playoffs: 6GP 1G 3A 4P 4PIM -4

Clague remains in the top spot this spring despite not scoring at a similar clip with his new team. He was at almost 2 PPG prior to the trade to MJ where he saw his pace dip below a PPG to go with only 1 goal. Kale still projects well at the next level, he's got great skating and good vision that make him an attractive puck mover to fit the new mold of NHL Dmen.

2. (2) Kole Lind RW 6'1" 185 lbs Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
58GP 39G 56A 95P 65PIM +24 Playoffs: 4GP 3G 5A 8P 4PIM -2

Our scouts debated for some time if Lind had surpassed Clague as the teams top prospect. He set new career marks for goals and points in only 58 games this year. Ultimately he remains at #2, but it was very close. One of the more impressive feats for Lind was his 8 points in 4 playoff games. He does have the ability to play his off-wing and even center in a pinch, so he should be able to play in a variety of roles in Utica next year.

3. (3) Dennis Cholowski D 6'0" 194 lbs Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
69GP 14G 52A 66P 32PIM +29 Playoffs: 5GP 4G 0A 4P 4PIM -1

Stat watchers who scoffed at the pick after his NCAA season were quickly silenced after the season Dennis has had in the Dub. He started the year on a weak PG team where he was over a PPG, then at the deadline moved to a more stacked team and still put up impressive numbers. He's not projected to be a big point producer at the next level, but do expect more of a two-way/puck moving game than a shut down style due to his great skating.

4. (4) Victor Mete D 5'10" 181 lbs Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
49GP 0G 7A 7P 4PIM +5

Mete surprised many when he made the Habs out of camp this season, but if you got the chance to watch him in London you'd know his size has no effect on his ability to win puck battles. An injury shut him down this year after only 49 games, he wasn't lighting the lamp by any means but he also didn't look out of place. He should be in a far less sheltered role next year where we can see him get the green light to join the rush more.

5. (8) Adam Ruzicka C 6'4" 203 lbs Sarnia Sting (OHL)
63GP 36G 36A 72P 40PIM +21 Playoffs: 6GP 0G 2A 2P 2PIM -1

Jumping up 3 spots on our list is the big center from Sarnia. Ruzicka started out the year hot but cooled off a bit as the season went on. He protects the puck well with his big frame, has good vision for a center, and has a good shot that he needs to use more. The current knock on Adam is his commitment to the defensive side of the game, he gets caught up ice too often.

6. (5) Nicolas Roy C/RW 6'4" 207 lbs Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
66GP 9G 23A 32P 37PIM -3

I said not to expect big numbers out of the big man this season, and he's right where I thought he'd be. Expectations will be raised next year and he'll need to continue to work on his shot and work down low. He could stand to use his size better, especially in front of the net. He sees the ice very well and so far is looking like he might be best used as a playmaker. Expect to see him get a cup of coffee next year in the NHL though he'll likely start in the AHL.

7. (6) Jordan Greenway C/LW 6'6" 227 lbs Minnesota Wild (NHL)
3GP 0G 0A 0P 0PIM -1 NCAA: 36GP 13G 22A 35P 52PIM +9

Greenway recently signed his ELC with the Wild and has suited up in 3 games already. He was moved all around the BU line-up this year playing both wings as well as center on the top 2 lines. Scouts still aren't sure how his offense will translate at the next level but there is no denying his physical presence on the ice. In the past he's played well with top talent and might be a good option as a third piece to a dynamic duo.

8. (7) J.T. Compher C/LW 6'0" 194 lbs Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
66GP 13G 10A 23P 20PIM -26

JT has the worst +/- on the Avs this year, but he's been given some of the harder match-ups and zone starts on the team. He's played as high up as the 2nd line but mostly is playing 4th line C duties. Top flight offense isn't expected but playing with better linemates will go a long way for him on the stat sheet.

9. (9) Sonny Milano LW 6'0" 194 lbs Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
52GP 13G 7A 20P 10PIM -8

Milano has been on our prospect list since the inaugural draft and this looks like his final appearance on here. Offensive skill has never been a question for Sonny, he was held up learning what he needs to do without the puck to be an effective pro. His point total should go up with more PP time and minutes at 5 on 5.

10. (16) D'Artagnan Joly RW 6'3" 181 lbs Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
55GP 23G 45A 68P 45PIM +1 Playoffs: 5GP 0G 6A 6P 6PIM -3

The biggest riser on this list is Joly, moving up 6 spots to sit in the top 10. He showcased a little bit of everything this year and I'm certain he'd go much higher in a re-draft. The Drakkar were eliminated from the playoffs by the powerhouse Halifax team but during that series Joly showed off his playmaking abilities. He's a good skater for his size, has a heavy shot, and has good vision. He'll need to use his size better and show more consistancy to keep moving up our list.

11. (15) Kevin Roy LW 5'9" 170 lbs San Diego Gulls (AHL)
40GP 12G 23A 35P 8PIM +8 NHL: 25GP 6G 1A 7P 6PIM +3

An offensive dynamo, Roy just keeps scoring no matter what level he's playing at. He's scored at a pretty good pace in the AHL this year and has posted 6 goals in 25 games in the NHL. He'd be higher up on our list, but he's seen as a bit one dimensional, thought to be a top 6 player or bust. I believe he'll need to pass through waivers next year so if he can't make the Ducks, they may lose him.

12. (13) Jordan Schmaltz D 6'2" 190 lbs St. Louis Blues (NHL)
13GP 0G 1A 1P 6PIM +0 AHL: 31GP 5G 18A 23P 20PIM +9

Schmatlz has been invisible through stretches this year, and it's not due to his play on the ice. The puck moving D has been hidden away in the Blues press box as a healthy scratch most nights. He gets sent down to get games in but then right back into the press box. It's hard to evaluate where he is in his development when he's not playing often, seems too good for the AHL.

13. (10) Ian McCoshen D 6'3" 218 lbs Florida Panthers (NHL)
37GP 3G 1A 4P 25PIM -10 AHL: 2GP 0G 1A 1P 2PIM +0

His offensive game never panned out in college, but he did work on his skating and positioning enough to surprise many and make the Panthers out of camp. Ian's success won't be measured in goals and points, but he will need to continue to work on getting his heavy shot through traffic and making crisp, clean first passes.

14. (14) Jake Leschyshyn C 5'11" 190 lbs Regina Pats (WHL)
64GP 18G 22A 40P 67PIM -12 Playoffs: 6GP 3G 2A 5P 2PIM +5

Jake saw his season cut short last year due to an injured knee, when he was drafted there were thoughts that he could turn into a good 2nd line center. Well this year he managed to stay relitively healthy but could only match last years point total, that's a disappointment for sure. He's still responsible defesively, is a quick skater and is a good faceoff man, and that should translate well as a bottom 6er in the NHL.

15. (12) Julius Nattinen C 6'2" 205 lbs San Diego Gulls (AHL)
54GP 4G 8A 12P 10PIM +1

He's got size, defesive acumen, and is good in the faceoff circle. Nobody was expecting big point totals from his first pro season, but only managing 12 points is a bit concerning. He'll likely see a small bump in ice-time next year and will need to show growth to stay relevant.

16. (11) Jack LaFontaine G 6'2" 205 lbs University of Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
11GP 4W 4L 0T 3.51GAA 0.889SV%

The starters role with the Wolverines was there for Jack to take and run with. He didn't and saw most of the starts end up go to Lavigne who out performed him. Next year it appears he'll have the same uphill battle for playing time. He's got decent size, tracks the puck well, and has shown some good athleticism in his limited time starting. He'll need to work on his positioning and rebound control in order to gain more starts.

17. (22) Justin Kloos C/W 5'9" 179 lbs Iowa Wild (AHL)
70GP 19G 28A 47P 38PIM -15

The only thing holding Kloos back is his size. He's able to play every forward position anywhere from the top line down to the 4th. This versitility will serve him well going forward and will help him secure a role on a team fulltime. He managed to get a call-up early in the season so he has an NHL game under his belt.

18. (20) Gabriel Gagne RW 6'5" 185 lbs Belleville Senators (AHL)
62GP 18G 5A 23P 45PIM -17

Only 5 assists? Yes, this isn't a type o. It's not the first time he's finished with more goals than assists and he'll project to be a shoot first player at the next level as well. He has one of the best releases to his shot of any prospect on this list, but he'll need to continue to round out his game in order to make it in the NHL.

19. (18) James (J.D.) Greenway D 6'4" 205 lbs University of Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
12GP 2G 1A 3P 31PIM +4

Greenway missed most of the year while sitting out for personal reasons. When he finally did return he was held out of the line-up for quite some time before being babied back in on the teams 3rd pairing. He has good offensive insticts and also has good hands like his brother around the net. We'll need to see more of him to know which way he's trending.

20. (21) Nathan Noel C/RW 5'11" 174 lbs Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
17GP 1G 0A 1P 18PIM -2 ECHL: 17GP 4G 5A 9P 18PIM +1

A bit of a wildcard like Kloos, Nathan was highly touted entering the QMJHL as a #3 overall pick of the Sea Dogs. His offense never progressed and he slipped in the NHL draft down to the 4th round. This year he's bounced between the AHL & ECHL where his numbers look less than stellar. He does have a high hockey IQ so I do expect him to break out once he fills out.

With no 1st rounder in this years draft, we don't expect much change at the top next year.